1923
Robert
2011
Robert Fowler "Bob" Burke Sr
August 9, 1923 — May 2, 2011
Robert "Bob" Fowler Burke, Sr., age 87, passed away peacefully with his son, Robert Jr. and wife Darlene by his side with Good Hope Hospice care at Wesleyan Nursing Home.
Bob was born in Marion, Indiana; the son of Emil Isaac and Nancy Vietta (Walls) Burke. He and Mary Alice Wilson were married on April 5, 1942 in Wabash, Indiana. She preceded him in death in 2010. They were partners in life for more than 68 years.
Bob attended Marion High School and after WWII, he worked at Farnsworth and RCA. He and his wife owned ABC Collection Agency until his retirement. He was a long time member of the Grace Methodist Church.
He is survived by a daughter, Nancy A. Ray (Richard) of Venice, Florida; his son, Robert F. Burke, Jr. (Darlene) of Marion, Indiana; grandchildren, Robert F. Burke, III (Shasta) of Plainfield, Illinois, Robin Gonsalves of Springfield, Ohio, Jerry Hodge (Lisa) of Woodleaf, North Carolina, Jacqueline Ide (Don) of Bradenton, Florida, Jill Hurley (Tim) of Ellenton, Florida, Melissa Powell (Tom) of Lewisburg, Tennessee, and Jason Burke (Tracey) of Gulfport, Mississippi; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, son, James A. Burke, sisters, Hazel Marie, Edna Williams, Ruth Thompson, Betty Jean, Mary Lee; and brothers, Woodrow, Paul, Lavern and Emil Jr.
Bob was a WWII veteran, serving in the 11th Airborne, 674th Para-Gliders. He participated in the liberation of Los Banos Internment Camp and the Philippines. The 11th are known as the "Angels" because to the POW's they looked like angels floating in parachutes from the sky during the liberation. The 674th were in mainland Japan within two weeks of the surrender.
Bob received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Stars for New Guinea, Leyte and Luzon; Bronze Arrowhead, Invasion of Nasugbu Point, Philippines; Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Badge; Philippine Independence Medal; Army of Occupation, Japan Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal Silver Glider Wings; and Good Conduct Medal.
He was a life member of the 11th Airborne Division Association; Fort Campbell Chapter 11th Airborne Division; American Legion, Brown-Doyle Post No. 368; AMVETS Post 5; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 773 and Post 7403; Silent Wings Museum, Terrell, Texas. He was named a Duke of Paducah in 1987.
Visitation with family will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 6, at Raven-Choate Funeral Home, 1202 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2011, at the funeral home with Reverend Mary Ann Freeman officiating. Burial will follow in Grant Memorial Park Cemetery, Marion, Indiana.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Wesleyan Nursing Home, Good Hope Hospice and the Marion Veterans Hospital for their professional and gracious loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Good Hope Hospice.
Bob was born in Marion, Indiana; the son of Emil Isaac and Nancy Vietta (Walls) Burke. He and Mary Alice Wilson were married on April 5, 1942 in Wabash, Indiana. She preceded him in death in 2010. They were partners in life for more than 68 years.
Bob attended Marion High School and after WWII, he worked at Farnsworth and RCA. He and his wife owned ABC Collection Agency until his retirement. He was a long time member of the Grace Methodist Church.
He is survived by a daughter, Nancy A. Ray (Richard) of Venice, Florida; his son, Robert F. Burke, Jr. (Darlene) of Marion, Indiana; grandchildren, Robert F. Burke, III (Shasta) of Plainfield, Illinois, Robin Gonsalves of Springfield, Ohio, Jerry Hodge (Lisa) of Woodleaf, North Carolina, Jacqueline Ide (Don) of Bradenton, Florida, Jill Hurley (Tim) of Ellenton, Florida, Melissa Powell (Tom) of Lewisburg, Tennessee, and Jason Burke (Tracey) of Gulfport, Mississippi; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, son, James A. Burke, sisters, Hazel Marie, Edna Williams, Ruth Thompson, Betty Jean, Mary Lee; and brothers, Woodrow, Paul, Lavern and Emil Jr.
Bob was a WWII veteran, serving in the 11th Airborne, 674th Para-Gliders. He participated in the liberation of Los Banos Internment Camp and the Philippines. The 11th are known as the "Angels" because to the POW's they looked like angels floating in parachutes from the sky during the liberation. The 674th were in mainland Japan within two weeks of the surrender.
Bob received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Stars for New Guinea, Leyte and Luzon; Bronze Arrowhead, Invasion of Nasugbu Point, Philippines; Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Badge; Philippine Independence Medal; Army of Occupation, Japan Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal Silver Glider Wings; and Good Conduct Medal.
He was a life member of the 11th Airborne Division Association; Fort Campbell Chapter 11th Airborne Division; American Legion, Brown-Doyle Post No. 368; AMVETS Post 5; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 773 and Post 7403; Silent Wings Museum, Terrell, Texas. He was named a Duke of Paducah in 1987.
Visitation with family will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 6, at Raven-Choate Funeral Home, 1202 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2011, at the funeral home with Reverend Mary Ann Freeman officiating. Burial will follow in Grant Memorial Park Cemetery, Marion, Indiana.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Wesleyan Nursing Home, Good Hope Hospice and the Marion Veterans Hospital for their professional and gracious loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Good Hope Hospice.
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